There was once a hungry ghost who lived in the rafters of a monastery.
One night, a group of travelers came to sleep in the meditation hall.
The ghost looked down at them.
Their feet were not even.
So he climbed down and carefully pulled them into a straight line.
Then he returned to the rafters.
Now their feet were even. But their heads were not.
So he climbed down again and straightened their heads.
He returned to the rafters and looked down.
Now their heads were even. But their feet were not.
So he climbed down again.
He straightened their feet.
Then their heads.
Then their feet.
Then their heads.
He continued all night.
By morning, the travelers had not slept.
And the hungry ghost had never finished his work.